Maya Caldwell leads balanced Lynx to 100-72 rout of expansion Tempo

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Reserve Maya Caldwell led a balanced attack with 16 points and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Toronto Tempo 100-72 on Thursday night.

It was the worst loss for the expansion Tempo, who fell to 3-3 after winning their previous two. Toronto's other two losses were by three and four points. Minnesota's first four games were decided by a total of 16 points.

Courtney Williams scored 15 points, rookie Olivia Miles had 14 and Natasha Howard and Kayla McBride each had 13 for the Lynx (3-2).

Kia Nurse led Toronto with 23 points off the bench and rookie Kiki Rice added 11. Brittney Sykes and Marina Mabrey, who combine for more than 45 points a game — both reached 30 in a win over Phoenix on Sunday — were held to nine. Each picked up a pair of fouls in the first quarter.

The Lynx shot 55%, had a 46-25 rebounding advantage and outscored the Tempo 42-24 in the paint. Minnesota went 10 of 24 behind the arc.

The Tempo shot 34%. They made 12 3-pointers but only shot 29% from distance.

The Lynx went on a 9-0 run and raced to a 27-14 lead after one quarter. Not much changed in the second quarter and the Lynx led 53-32 at halftime.

The Lynx stretched the lead to 76-50 after three quarters.

Tempo: Host fellow expansion team Portland on Saturday.

Lynx: At Chicago on Saturday.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Toronto Tempo forward Teonni Key (7) shoots over Minnesota Lynx forward Liatu King (2) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles (5) stands on the court during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Toronto Tempo Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Liatu King (2) gains possession of the ball from Toronto Tempo center Mariella Fasoula (34) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx guard Maya Caldwell (3) celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Toronto Tempo Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Busch died after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications, according to a statement released by his family.

Dakota Hunter, vice president of Kyle Busch Companies, said in a news release the family received the medical evaluation on Saturday.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR champion, died at 41 on Thursday, a day after passing out in a Chevrolet simulator.

Sepsis is considered a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body has an extreme, overactive response to an infection, causing the immune system to damage its own tissues and organs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Typically the immune system releases chemicals to fight off pathogens like bacteria, viruses or fungi, but with sepsis the response goes into overdrive. The results can cause widespread inflammation, form microscopic blood clots and make blood vessels leak.

Busch was thought to have had a sinus cold while racing at Watkins Glen on May 10 and radioed in to his team saying that he needed a “shot” from a doctor after the race.

Busch, who was preparing to race Sunday at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, was testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord on Wednesday when he became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte, several people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

During the emergency call placed late that afternoon, an unidentified caller calmly told the dispatch: “I’ve got an individual that’s (got) shortness of breath, very hot, thinks he’s going to pass out, and is producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood.”

The caller said Busch was lying on the bathroom floor inside the complex and told dispatch “he is awake,” according to audio provided by the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office. The man then gave directions on where emergency responders should go and asked that they turn off any sirens upon arrival.

Busch won 234 races across NASCAR’s top three series, more than any driver in history.

All 39 drivers in the field for Sunday’s race will race with a black No. 8 decal on their car to honor Busch.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

An in memoriam photo of former driver Kyle Busch is displayed on the video board of the backstretch at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

FILE - Kyle Busch waits for the start of a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)